April 2, 2013

The End of Reconstruction

Warm UpRead pages 235-240 and respond to the following questions. 1.Name one violent consequence of the contested election of 1872.2. Who died in the greatest numbers during the Colfax Riot? 3. What was the White League? 4. What was the outcome of the Battle of Liberty Place?

5. Why did Reconstruction end after 10 years? In your opinion, was it effective?

Election leads to violence

Gubernatorial (state governor) election between McEnery (D) and Kellogg (R)

Election results contested McEnery agitates to gain

recognition from Republican government

Strategy- remove police as obstacle

The Battle of Cabildo

March 1873- the so-called “Battle of Cabildo” pitted Democrats (supported McEnery) against NOLA police (protected Kellogg).

A street fight, wounded or killed ~12.Democrat attack failed due to U.S. army

intervention.

The Colfax Riot

During LA reconstruction, fears of a race war were common. Additionally, after the 1872 election, freedmen were fearful that local Democrats would seize power.

Former slaves under the command of African American Civil War veterans and militia officers took over the town of Colfax to create a safe haven.

Whites assembled to confront freedmen. ~100 freedmen killed (many murdered

mercilessly), only 3 whites killed. Bloodiest incident in America during

Reconstruction.

Impact of Colfax Riot

Ulysses S. Grant responded to the Riot by ordering the U.S. army to recognize Kellogg as the legitimate governor.

Remember him?

William Pitt Kellogg

A Republican carpetbagger from Vermont.Made little difference in the lives of

Louisianans. Well-intentioned and honest, but hated by

Democrats (remember the violent struggle between Republicans and Democrats).

Kellogg wanted to help African Americans. Appointed African Americans to state officesImproved welfare programsEfforts hurt by economic depression

The White League

New laws diminished the KKK and the Knights of the White Camellia.

A new secret society emerged- the White League.

Organized like a military regiment- basically the Democratic party’s army.

Aimed to turn Republicans out of office and use intimidation to prevent freedmen from voting or organizing politically.

The White League

The White League spread violence across the state.

Soon, the League had 14,000 armed members and began forcing Republican government officials out of office.

Unlike in other white supremacist groups, in the White League the identities of members were generally known. Many members were former Confederate soldiers.

The Coushatta Massacre

In the Coushatta Massacre, the local White League forced six Republican officeholders (who had advocated for freedmen) to resign and promise to leave the state.

Other members of the League went back on the agreement and assassinated all but one of the officeholders before they left the parish, together with freedmen who were witnesses.

Generally in remote areas, the White League's show of force and outright murders always overcame opposition.

The Battle of Liberty Place

In September 1874, the most famous Reconstruction battle took place.

Several thousand White League members gathered on Canal Street to attack the Republican government.

The Republican police were vastly out-numbered, and after around 70 casualties, the police forces retreated.

The Battle of Liberty Place The Democrats held

the state house, armory and downtown for three days until federal troops arrived to restore the elected government.

This was the last major event of violence stemming from the disputed 1872 gubernatorial election.

Impact of the Battle of Liberty PlaceAlthough the Democrats were forced out

by the army and there was an end to violent clashes over the disputed 1872 election, it was clear after the Battle of Liberty Place that Republicans were losing power.

The U.S. army was the only thing keeping Republicans in office.

The White League, encouraged, became more active across the state and continued to force out Republican officials.

The End of Reconstruction

Growing disinterest in the North led to the end of Reconstruction after nearly 10 years of largely ineffective chaos.

On the state and national level, the 1876 election was disputed.

In LA, both candidates claimed victory. The White League seized government buildings and then invaded the St. Louis Hotel, where the Republicans were staying.

The Republicans barricaded themselves in the hotel for a four-month standoff.

The Compromise of 1877Congress allowed

the Republican candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes to become president.

In return, Republicans promised to remove U.S. troops from Southern states.

This political cartoon by depicts Republican Roscoe Conkling as the devil while Rutherford B. Hayes strolls off with the prize of the "Solid South"

depicted as a woman.

“The Great Betrayal”

The Army Leaves LouisianaThe army left Louisiana, and the

Republican state government immediately knew it didn’t stand a chance without their protection.

The Republican government collapsed and the Democrats took over.

Reconstruction was over, and the same people who had seceded 16 years before were back in power.